Length13.7 kmElevation gain718 mRoute typePoint to pointEnjoy this 13.7-km point-to-point trail near Haputale, Badulla. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 9 min to complete. This trail is great for backpacking, hiking, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are January through January.This is a very scenic route from one of the major towns in tea country, Haputale, to the upper divisions of the Nayabedda Tea Estate from where Sir Thomas Lipton once surveyed his favorite tea estates. From here, the panoramic views of the mountains and rivers are truly breathtaking. The path begins by exiting the town on the main road towards Bandarawela. At the post office, it turns right towards the Forestry Department office and bungalow. Just past the bungalow there is a signboard and a few steps peeling off to the right. The next bit is a forest reserve, cool and humid and ideal for walking uphill in the shade. The trail resolves onto a tea estate road. Soon visitors have a choice: take steps up or take a longer route to avoid them. After a short distance, the route lands in another valley, the Thotalagala - Dambatenne Valley. Lipton Seat is across the valley straight ahead. The trail gradually descends and then climbs uphill following a very well-marked and beautiful tea trail. These are the paths of an organic bio-tea producing estate called Green Field. Next, the path leaves the wider trail to take a left on a much thinner track. From here it's a fairly straightforward, relatively flat walk for a while. The views across the valley to Lipton Seat are fabulous all the way. A much steeper climb towards the top of the mountain is ahead. The guide is the telecom tower on the top. The top of the mountain is more or less the same height as Lipton Seat. This plateau has several green tea fields and a few small villages. The stage ends at St. Catherine, the first picturesque tea plantation worker's village in the upper divisions of the Nayabedda Tea Estate. Just before it enters the village there's an impressive Hindu Kovil on the right. Visitors must remember to take their shoes off if choosing to enter the complex and pay homage to the deities. Some may want to keep walking and visit Lipton Seat - this can be done with a walk across the plateau. Lipton Seat is a popular destination for local tourists so some traffic is the be expected here. Close to the top, there is an entrance fee. The final rugged walk uphill to see Lipton’s Seat offers the opportunity to take a picture with the statue of Sir Thomas Lipton, surrounded by panoramic views. On a clear day, one can see as far as Udawalawe National Park and almost the entire Uva Province.The Pekoe Trail is designed to support development and livelihoods in rural areas of Sri Lanka. Buying goods and services from local businesses helps communities along the trail to thrive. The Pekoe Trail